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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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It was a natural reaction. While Janet was in Korea, Milo had requested cooperation from several teams to thoroughly investigate Lee Seong-joon. He had learned about Lee Seong-joon’s goals and objectives behind his sudden declaration of triple affiliation.
It turned out just as the information analysis team predicted.
“I apologize. I should have persuaded him…”
No need to apologize. It wasn’t your fault. Hunter Lee Seong-joon simply wasn’t meant to sign with us.
“But…”
Janet started to say something, but Milo quickly cut her off.
Don’t dwell on the past. Our Master always says to look towards the future. What’s important is that Hunter Lee Seong-joon isn’t some Korean fabrication.
“That’s true.”
Even if we couldn’t recruit him as a guild member, there’s still merit in maintaining a friendly relationship. That alone is a sufficient gain. So don’t be discouraged. Get some rest, and we can talk more when you get back to the guild.
Click.
Milo hung up abruptly. Although her task was complete, perhaps due to a sense of helplessness she hadn’t felt in a long time, thoughts of Lee Seong-joon lingered in Janet’s mind.
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A week later.
Lee Seong-joon, who had remained quiet, decided on the guild he would sign with. He hadn’t spent the entire week deliberating. In fact, he had a preference from the moment he heard the contract offers.
He had merely waited to make the guilds more desperate and solidify his position of power.
‘…This is enough.’
A long wait could lead to resignation and giving up altogether. Now, with a mixture of hope, anticipation, and anxiety, was the optimal time. He picked up the business card with the burning bird, the symbol of the Bulsae Guild.
‘Lee Ye-rin.’
He checked the number and dialed.
Ring, ring…
The phone rang a couple of times.
Click.
As the call connected, he heard a flurry of activity.
Hello? No, please sort the important documents first. I’ll review the rest and sign them later.
“This is Lee Seong-joon. I apologize for calling you while you’re busy.”
-…….
A brief silence followed, then the noise on the other end disappeared, replaced by the sound of a closing door. Lee Ye-rin, seemingly having dismissed her staff, spoke in a calm voice,
– Don’t mention it. I gave you my number so you could call anytime. If it was a call from you, Hunter Lee Seong-joon, I would have come running even if I was inside a Gate. You’re worth that much.
Her words were excessively flattering, but Lee Seong-joon was used to such compliments from his time in the Thousand Continents.
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m calling because I’d like to discuss the contract. Would you be available to meet now?”
Of course. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come pick you up.
“No, I’ll go to the Bulsae Guild building. If I leave now… I should arrive in about 30 minutes.”
Alright, I’ll be waiting.
“Yes, I’ll see you later.”
Lee Seong-joon hung up, called a taxi on his phone, and headed towards the Bulsae Guild building.
‘Bulsae is my top choice for now… but I shouldn’t rush into a decision.’
In terms of contract conditions and future direction, they were the best.
‘The financial offer was lower than Neuro’s, but considering Bulsae’s situation and Lee Ye-rin’s attitude, I can be at the center of operations.’
They met his ideal conditions. But they weren’t without flaws.
‘They’re somewhat lacking in power right now.’
He wasn’t sure they could protect him and his family from those who threatened and harassed him. They lacked power and influence. Of course, it wasn’t a major problem.
‘I can supplement their lack of power.’
As the Demon God, he could attain an overwhelming, untouchable power if given enough time. But he couldn’t supplement their lack of wit. And a witless faction wouldn’t be of much help.
‘…I shouldn’t be complacent.’
To secure a peaceful life with his family, he had to demonstrate and prove his power and ability to the world. The previous Treasure Gate was just the beginning.
‘I will rise to the top again, just as I did in the Thousand Continents.’
And he would help the factions under him grow their influence under his protection. But no matter how much he helped, their success ultimately depended on their own capabilities. A witless faction couldn’t exert much influence.
‘…So…I have to confirm it.’
He intended to observe and judge for himself how capable and clever Bulsae and Lee Ye-rin were. That was why he was going through the trouble of visiting the Bulsae Guild headquarters.
‘I hope they don’t disappoint me.’
The tall Bulsae Guild building came into view.
“Is this the right place?”
“Yes.”
“Your fare is 16,870 won.”
Lee Seong-joon nodded, paid the fare, and stepped out of the taxi. Lee Ye-rin and the other Bulsae Guild members, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately approached him and bowed their heads.
“It’s good to see you again, Hunter Lee Seong-joon.”
“It’s good to see you too. Have you been waiting long?”
“I was too excited to just wait.”
Lee Ye-rin, her voice slightly breathless, added, “I want to make it clear that I’m not pressuring you about the contract. I was just eager to meet you. As I said on the phone, you’re worth it, Hunter Lee Seong-joon.”
“….”
Lee Ye-rin smiled at Lee Seong-joon, who nodded silently, and gestured towards the building.
“Instead of talking out here, let’s go to my office.”
“Alright.”
Following Lee Ye-rin, Lee Seong-joon observed the guild staff in the hallway and the elevator.
‘They seem lively and motivated.’
It was an attitude you wouldn’t see from employees under an incompetent, self-serving boss.
‘Lee Ye-rin seems to have good leadership qualities.’
As he was slowly assessing Bulsae and Lee Ye-rin…
Ding—!
The elevator doors opened. He stepped into the office, and Lee Ye-rin spoke in a calm voice, “Please, have a seat. Is there any particular tea you’d like?”
“Water is fine. I’d prefer to… speak with you privately.”
Lee Ye-rin nodded briefly, and the Bulsae executives and assistants quickly left. Once they were alone, Lee Ye-rin spoke first, “Do you have any questions about the contract? Or… any additional conditions?”
Her face was clouded with worry. The terms she had offered were already a stretch. If he had additional conditions… it was unlikely she could meet them. She might lose this hard-won opportunity.
Seeing her anxiety, Lee Seong-joon spoke in a calm voice, “Don’t worry. I’m satisfied with the contract terms. I just came here to ask you something personally.”
“…That’s the most reassuring thing I’ve heard lately.”
Lee Seong-joon looked at Lee Ye-rin, who smiled faintly, and continued, “I’m not one for beating around the bush, so I’ll ask directly. Why is Bulsae Guild making such a large investment in me?”
As mentioned before, Lee Ye-rin was going to great lengths to secure this contract. It would be a natural decision if she knew his true value as the Demon God. But she didn’t. She only knew the Lee Seong-joon of Earth, the Hunter.
Of course, he had considerable value as a hunter, but not enough to warrant such an aggressive investment. Yet, she was doing it. It could be attributed to excellent intuition or thorough calculation, or perhaps it was simply a foolish move.
He hoped it was the former, but if it was the latter, they weren’t a suitable faction to recruit.
Despite his scrutinizing gaze, Lee Ye-rin answered without hesitation, “Because of the career you’ve built, Hunter Lee Seong-joon.”
“Is that all?”
“Of course not.”
Lee Ye-rin shook her head and continued in a calm voice, “While I was considering recruiting you, a hypothesis came to mind… Have you ever played games?”
Lee Seong-joon nodded slowly. Due to his family’s financial situation, he hadn’t played much, but he had played a few times in middle and high school to fit in with his peers.
Lee Ye-rin, who had been watching him intently, smiled and said,
“I see the system and the growth of hunters as similar to games. Growth is incredibly fast in the early, low levels, but it slows down significantly later on. Most hunters follow a similar growth pattern. But you, Hunter Lee Seong-joon, are different. You’re still showing tremendous growth.”
A spark appeared in her eyes.
“In other words, compared to the level you originally reached in the other world, your current level is still just the beginning.”
Despite his continued impassive expression, Lee Ye-rin’s face remained calm. Her voice was filled with conviction.
“So, I believe you have immense potential for continued growth. I think you will become a world-class hunter, not just an ordinary SSS-rank, but a ranker, or even beyond.”
It was a sharp observation, practically the correct answer. Of course, it was a conviction only Lee Seong-joon, with his memories of being the Demon God, could have.
“Perhaps, I’m completely wrong… but there’s no return without risk, is there?”
Her eyes gleamed with ambition.
“That’s why I invested so boldly in you, Hunter Lee Seong-joon. So, how about it? Does my explanation answer your question?”
Lee Seong-joon smiled with satisfaction at her answer, which was more than sufficient.
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